First Solar signs EPC agreement for Jordan power plant

Thursday, 07 August 2014 08:02

Once completed, the power plant will supply an estimated 160mn kWh of electricity per annum. (Image source: First Solar)Solar systems provider First Solar has signed an agreement to provide engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) services for the 52.5MW Shams Ma’an photovoltaic (PV) power plant in Jordan

First Solar has been heavily involved in the development of this project, having signed a 20-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with Jordan’s National Electric Power Company (NEPCO) earlier this year.

Ahmed S Nada, First Solar vice-president for the Middle East, said, “We are proud to have been given this opportunity to leverage our industry-leading expertise in project development to create a truly remarkable renewable energy asset. We now look forward to delivering a world-class power plant that will directly contribute to efforts to address the country’s urgent energy needs.”

The power plant is predicted to be complete in 2016 and, in line with Jordan’s aim to increase national energy security, will ultimately supply an estimated 160mn kWh of electricity per year.

Matthew Merfert, First Solar technical director for the Middle East, commented, “Underscoring the fact that what matters to Jordan is the amount of energy produced, every aspect of the project has been optimised for low-cost, high energy performance in actual conditions.”

He added, “The First Solar Tracker will allow the plant to generate over 20 per cent more energy than a fixed mounting system.”

Construction is expected to begin in early 2015 and will generate approximately 500 jobs. It will be the largest PV facility in the Middle East, according to First Solar.

This is the global PV solar systems provider’s second utility-scale project in the region, having successfully engineered the 13MW first phase of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park in Dubai.